Report: Chiefs losing Cubs affiliation to Kane County

The report that the Chicago Cubs likely will change their Midwest League affiliation from the Peoria Chiefs to the Kane County Cougars came like a bolt out of the blue.

"It definitely caught us off guard," Chiefs president Rocky Vonachen said of the Tuesday report in the Chicago Sun-Times. "It's the first we've heard anything like that."

Kevin Capie

The report that the Chicago Cubs likely will change their Midwest League affiliation from the Peoria Chiefs to the Kane County Cougars came like a bolt out of the blue.

"It definitely caught us off guard," Chiefs president Rocky Vonachen said of the Tuesday report in the Chicago Sun-Times. "It's the first we've heard anything like that."

The Chiefs' four-year deal with the Cubs expires at the end of this season. The Sun-Times, citing unnamed sources, reported that the Cubs are close to signing a Player Development Contract with the Cougars.

All 30 Major League teams have standard PDCs with all their affiliates. The contract lengths typically are two or four seasons and expire after even-numbered calendar years. The Cougars' contract with the Kansas City Royals also expires at the end of this season.

"The Kane County Cougars organization enjoys a great professional working relationship with the Kansas City Royals," the Cougars said in a statement. "In accordance with Major League Baseball rules, we will not comment on any existing or future Player Development Contract involving our organization or any other organization."

The Major League rules, which govern the business of baseball, stipulate a $500,000 fine for major league teams and a $100,000 fine for minor league teams that publicly discuss future re-affiliation agreements.

If the report is correct that the Cubs and Cougars are close to an agreement, however, the two organizations still would have violated Rule 56 of the rules.

Either the parent club or affiliate must present written notification either to the office of the commissioner or the president of Minor League Baseball at the conclusion of the season. Negotiations outside of the existing relationship cannot begin until Sept. 16.

This is to protect the existing relationships through the season. The Chiefs have only a seven-game homestand, starting Saturday, remaining this season at O'Brien Field. The Chiefs close the season at Kane County, located in the Chicago suburb of Geneva.

The Chiefs and Cubs were affiliated from 1985-94, then again since 2005. The most recent affiliation was renewed in 2007, while there was still one season remaining on the PDC.

Although the Cubs had not yet come to an agreement on a renewal with the Chiefs, an extension had been expected to be a mere formality.

"I think the Chiefs have a good relationship with the Cubs," Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said in 2011 when touring the minor-league affiliates. "I consider them a great partner."

But last fall, the Cubs hired Theo Epstein to head baseball operations. Epstein brought in a new general manager, Jed Hoyer, and vice president of scouting and player development, Jason McLeod. The Cubs put off making early renewals of their PDCs in order to focus on building the Major League club.

Last week, the Cubs fired Oneri Fleita, who oversaw day-to-day operations of the farm system and was perhaps the biggest Peoria booster in the front office. Still, there was no indication of a looming change in affiliation.

When McLeod visited O'Brien Field in July, he spoke about renewing with the Chiefs.

"I think if the relationship is there, absolutely," McLeod said then. "I've been fortunate with some of the other clubs I've been with, to be really strong with the affiliates.

"I personally think it boils down to best interest of the players and club itself. We understand on the business side of what Minor League baseball is trying to do. At the same time, there's relationships involved and what's in the best interests of our players. We have to take all of that into account."

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Chiefs affiliates

Affiliation history of the current Peoria minor league baseball franchise, known as the Chiefs:

1983-84 - California Angels.

1985-94 - Chicago Cubs

1994 - Boston Red Sox*

1995-2004 - St. Louis Cardinals

2005-2012 - Chicago Cubs

* After the Cubs declined to renew their agreement at the end of the 1994 season, the Chiefs landed an affiliation with the Red Sox. Before the 1995 season, however, the Chiefs traded affiliations with the Battle Creek, Mich., club and obtained an agreement with the Cardinals.

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Kevin Capie can be reached at 686-3214, kcapie@pjstar.com or on Twitter @KevinCapie.